Senior Executive Assistant to the CEO / Founder

Company: Candles & Oud
Apply for the Senior Executive Assistant to the CEO / Founder
Location: London
Job Description:

We are looking for an exceptional Senior Executive Assistant to work closely with the CEO / Founder across a fast-moving, founder-led business environment.

This is a long-term role for a highly experienced professional who sees the Senior Executive Assistant position as a respected career path in its own right. We are not looking for someone who wants to use this role as a stepping stone into other areas of the business. The right person will be committed to remaining in this role for the foreseeable future and taking pride in becoming a trusted, central figure beside senior leadership.

This is not simply a diary management role. It requires maturity, discretion, structure, emotional intelligence, programme management capability and the ability to operate calmly within a demanding, multi-faceted environment.

Key Requirements

The successful candidate should have:

  • Minimum 10 years of traceable experience in an Executive Assistant, Senior PA, Chief of Staff support, programme coordination or senior administrative leadership role.
  • Experience supporting founders, CEOs, directors or senior leadership in a fast-paced environment.
  • Strong programme management experience, with the ability to track multiple projects, actions, deadlines and stakeholders.
  • Ideally PRINCE2 qualified, or possessing equivalent project or programme management experience.
  • A full, clean UK driving licence, as the role may require travel between business locations, meetings and key appointments.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Advanced diary, inbox, meeting and follow-up management capability.
  • High levels of confidentiality, loyalty and emotional intelligence.
  • Confidence to chase actions, escalate delays and maintain accountability.
  • Ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
  • High level of professionalism and confidentiality.
  • Experience coordinating meetings, travel and events.
  • Strong problem-solving and decision-making capability.
  • Adaptability in fast-paced environments.

Core Responsibilities

The Senior Executive Assistant will be responsible for:

  • Managing the CEO’s diary, priorities, meetings and follow-ups.
  • Preparing agendas, notes, action logs and decision trackers.
  • Proactively tracking progress to ensure all key projects remain on course and on track.
  • Coordinating across internal teams, consultants, suppliers and external stakeholders.
  • Tracking deadlines, commitments and accountability across multiple ventures.
  • Supporting board-style reporting, meeting preparation and executive communications.
  • Handling sensitive information with complete discretion.
  • Anticipating the CEO’s needs and resolving issues proactively.
  • Facilitating clear and effective cross-functional communication between teams to ensure alignment and execution.

The Right Fit

This role is suited to an individual who recognises that the position of a Senior Executive Assistant is both strategically important and highly respected.

We are seeking a professional who brings depth of experience, discipline, discretion and strong programme management capability, alongside a clear long-term commitment to the Executive Assistant profession.

For the right person, this opportunity offers the chance to work in close partnership with senior leadership, influence execution across multiple ventures and become a central, trusted figure within a growing and dynamic business environment.

This is not a role for someone seeking to transition into other areas of the business or to use the position as a stepping stone into functions such as marketing, operations or other departments.

Instead, we are looking for an individual who is genuinely motivated by the role itself. Someone who thrives as the trusted partner to the CEO, bringing structure, protecting time, creating clarity and ensuring disciplined execution.

The successful candidate will be highly organised, resilient and commercially aware, with strong emotional intelligence and the ability to remain composed in a demanding, fast-paced and multi-faceted environment.

They must be confident operating alongside senior stakeholders, strong personalities, competing priorities and ambitious growth objectives, while consistently maintaining control, focus and professionalism.

This is a long-term opportunity for a highly capable and committed professional.

Posted: May 28th, 2026